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Key Points

Mitchell Starc has now taken the most wickets in ICC tournament finals, surpassing Mohammed Shami. His fiery spell against South Africa in the WTC final further cements his reputation as a big-game bowler. Starc’s 11 wickets in ICC finals place him joint-second in knockout history, just behind Muralitharan. Australia, despite a shaky start, holds a commanding lead after Starc’s early breakthroughs.

Key Points: Mitchell Starc overtakes Shami as top wicket-taker in ICC finals

  • Starc now has 11 wickets in 5 ICC finals
  • Overtakes Shami (10) and Zaheer Khan (22)
  • Joint-second in ICC knockouts with Murali
  • Dominates SA with 2/10 in WTC final
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WTC final: Starc overtakes Shami, continues strong show in ICC tournament knockouts

Starc surpasses Shami and Zaheer Khan with 11 wickets in ICC tournament finals, now joint-second in knockout history behind Muralitharan.

"First-over Starc was at it again, cleaning up Aiden Markram for a duck with a brutal inswinger. – Match Report"

London, June 12

Australian pacer Mitchell Starc overtook Indian veteran Mohammed Shami, becoming the bowler with the most wickets in the ICC tournament finals.

Starc achieved this unique feat during his side's ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final clash against South Africa at Lord's.

After Australia was bundled out for a moderate score following SA's decision to field first, the 'first-over Starc' was at it once again, cleaning up Aiden Markram for a duck with a brutal inswinger. By the end of the day's play, he had 2/10 in seven overs.

Now in five ICC finals, Starc has taken 11 wickets at an average of 26.63, economy rate of 5.17 and best figures of 3/55 against India in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at Ahmedabad, which came in a winning effort.

Shami, in four ICC finals, has taken 10 wickets at an average of 38.90, an economy rate of 3.95 and best bowling figures of 4/76 in the WTC final 2021 against New Zealand.

Now, Starc has overtaken Zaheer Khan, the Indian pace legend, to become joint-second-highest wicket-taker in ICC knockouts, with 22 scalps at an average of 24.31, and best figures of 3/34.

At the top is Sri Lankan spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan, with 23 scalps at an average of 23.39, with best figures of 4/31.

Coming to the match, after Australia was put to bat first by SA, they sunk to 67/4 at the end of the first session. A 79-run stand between Steve Smith (66 in 112 balls, with 10 fours) and Beau Webster (72 in 92 balls, with 11 fours) and Webster's 46-run stand with Alex Carey (23 in 31 balls, with four boundaries) pushed Australia near to 200-run mark. But Kagiso Rabada (5/51) and Marco Jansen (3/49) continued applying pressure, reducing the Aussies to 212.

SA had an even nightmarish start, losing their four wickets for 43 runs at the end of day's play, with none of their batters touching 20-run mark. Starc got two wickets, while skipper Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood got one wicket each. SA trails by 169 runs.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Starc is a beast in ICC tournaments! But let's not forget Shami's incredible performances for India. Both are legends in their own right. Hope Bumrah and Siraj can reach these heights soon 🇮🇳 #Cricket
P
Priya M.
That Ahmedabad final still hurts 😢 Starc was unplayable that day. But our boys will bounce back stronger in next ICC events. Need to groom more fast bowlers who can perform in big matches.
A
Arjun S.
Stats don't lie - Starc is the king of ICC knockouts! But I'm proud that two Indians (Shami & Zaheer) are in this elite list. Shows how far Indian fast bowling has come since the 90s.
S
Sneha R.
Why always Australia performing in finals? 😩 Our team needs to learn how to handle pressure in big matches. Too many heartbreaks in ICC tournaments recently.
V
Vikram J.
Starc's first over wickets are becoming legendary! That inswinger to Markram was pure class. Indian batsmen should study his bowling carefully before next Australia series.
N
Neha P.
Interesting to see Murali still at the top! Spinners rule in ICC events. Maybe India should play more spinners in knockout matches? Our pace attack sometimes fades in big games.

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